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A Yellow Rose Mystery #1
Pick Your Poison
Out of school, out of work, and out of motivation, Abby Rose is contemplating her life and wondering what to do next. It's the kind of situation that would get some girls down, but luckily Abby's got a heart the size of Texas-and a bank account to match. But when she discovers the gardener dead in her greenhouse, Abby realizes what she needs to do with herself: she needs to solve a murder...
258 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published May 1, 2004
45 people are currently reading
2786 people want to read
About the author
Leann Sweeney
27 books524 followersLeann Sweeney was born and raised in Niagara Falls and educated at St. Joseph's Hospital and Lemoyne College in Syracuse, NY. She also has a degree from the University of Houston in behavioral science and worked for many years in psychiatry. Her short fiction won many awards and several mysteries were published in small market mystery magazines. Leann has written 13 cozy mysteries: 5 in The Yellow Rose Mystery Series and 8 in the Cats in Trouble Mysteries. #9 is being written now that Leann is recovering from a three year illness after a fall. Both series are published by Berkley and several titles made the NY Times bestseller list.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 148 reviews
June 27, 2010
Maybe 3.5 stars since I didn't know who the killer was til near the end, but why, oh, why do all the heroes/heroines of mystery books (amateur ones at least) need to go off alone, when they KNOW who the guilty party is and then get nearly killed themselves???? I think I really do need to go back to reading some Agatha Christie mysteries again since her detectives never did that. IIRC
July 7, 2010
Love Abby Rose's sarcastic humor.
February 9, 2011
Great first book in the series. Abby Rose, an adopted heiress, starts investigating in order to discover the truth about her and her twin sister's, Kate, biological parents, after the death of her adoptive father, Charlie Rose and the murder of Ben, their gardener. The story included plenty of twists and turns and the revelation of the killer's identity was a shock. Leann Sweeney certainly knows how to craft a good mystery and keep her readers alert, turning page after page.I plan to read the rest of the series soon and see how Abby and Kate's characters develop through each story.
May 6, 2025
Great, older cozy mystery! Being Southern, I enjoyed all the ‘saying’s’ the author included! Humor! There are several surprises in this book. I had my eye on one suspect, in particular!
May 23, 2012
Hmm. I don't know why but I never really got into this one.
The mystery was pretty good. It kind of a snowball gathering speed down a hill or a Dung Beetle gathering dung. It started off with the death of the gardner and then slowly built by adding connections to the other characters and events. I kind of liked the way she the mystery grew,
I did not mind Abby. She was kind of an interesting character. She was spitfire. Noone was going to piss in her boots and call it rainwater! Although I liked Terry and her twin sister better. Sgt. Kline was also a decent character and who could not like a man who "probably struts when he is sitting down" even if he couldn't charm the gloss off a photograph like her ex, Steven, could.
I could have used less of her silly (but I am guessing they were supposed to be cute) expressions like "alligator with chapped lips" and "something herbal enough to drive buzzards off of roadkill", but if you are loving all the expressions I have included in my review then I don't think you would mind them in this book. I I thought it was a bit too much. It was like Sweeney was trying to oversell the whole "she's Texan" kind of thing. Seriously, she was supposed to be around 30 years old, but her sayings made her seem a lot older. Thankfully, she was the only one who seemed to use those sayings.
All in all, it was a good summer, sit by the beach, and not think to much kind of book. I don't know if I care enough about the characters to seek the next book out "faster than the wind can snuff out a match", but if it comes across my path I might read it.
The mystery was pretty good. It kind of a snowball gathering speed down a hill or a Dung Beetle gathering dung. It started off with the death of the gardner and then slowly built by adding connections to the other characters and events. I kind of liked the way she the mystery grew,
I did not mind Abby. She was kind of an interesting character. She was spitfire. Noone was going to piss in her boots and call it rainwater! Although I liked Terry and her twin sister better. Sgt. Kline was also a decent character and who could not like a man who "probably struts when he is sitting down" even if he couldn't charm the gloss off a photograph like her ex, Steven, could.
I could have used less of her silly (but I am guessing they were supposed to be cute) expressions like "alligator with chapped lips" and "something herbal enough to drive buzzards off of roadkill", but if you are loving all the expressions I have included in my review then I don't think you would mind them in this book. I I thought it was a bit too much. It was like Sweeney was trying to oversell the whole "she's Texan" kind of thing. Seriously, she was supposed to be around 30 years old, but her sayings made her seem a lot older. Thankfully, she was the only one who seemed to use those sayings.
All in all, it was a good summer, sit by the beach, and not think to much kind of book. I don't know if I care enough about the characters to seek the next book out "faster than the wind can snuff out a match", but if it comes across my path I might read it.
March 30, 2017
In Pick Your Poison by Leann Sweeney, Abby lives with her twin sister Kate in the wealthy home left to them by their recently deceased father. The morning of the book's opening, the gardener, Ben, tells Abby that he needs to talk to her and Kate once Kate gets home from her time at school, where she is finishing up her PhD. But before Kate returns home, Abby's lazy dog starts barking like crazy, leading her to the greenhouse, where she finds Ben lying dead of a horrific form of acid and cyanide poisoning.
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Read the rest of this review, more reviews, and other wonderful, geeky articles on FangirlNation
January 8, 2019
This was a great read. Another good one by Leann Sweeney. Highly recommend it. Great characters and plot had me going to the end.
October 8, 2018
I had a lot of fun reading this book! It was a simple mystery with fun and even believable characters. Was it terrifying or twisted? No, but if you want a good clean mystery to read and enjoy. This is for you!
August 31, 2016
I had never read anything before by this author and this book is the first in the Yellow Rose series. I loved this book. The murder of the gardener, Ben Garrison, occurred early in the book, giving the mystery plenty of time to develop. So many twists and turns, it was almost like driving down legendary Lombard Street in San Francisco! Events that happened over thirty years ago that first seemed irrelevant are now uncovered in the light of exposure. Some villains are more obvious. Others less so, and that's what makes this book so great I stayed up so late two evenings in a row to finish it. I can't wait for the next one in the series..
October 25, 2014
In Leann Sweeney's Pick Your Poison, the first installment in the Yellow Rose Mystery series, we were introduced to Abby Rose. She was out of work, out of motivation and out of school. And when she returned home to Texas, she found Ben, her dead gardener in her greenhouse. When the local hot Houston PD detective Jeff informed her about the poison, it was now up to Abby to find out who killed Ben and why. And while she looked for clues, she also find some hidden secrets from her past that might help her solve the case, before the killer came for her next.
July 12, 2016
I got this whole series from a used bookstore in town, I put them on my shelf and they sat. I decided to pick one up. When I started reading it I was only slightly into the book. As the story got deeper into wanted to know a little more. By the end of the book tears feel down my face and I felt the character's feelings. Being adopted the ending part of the book was emotionally hard to get through but it was very impacting. I quite enjoyed the read.
March 13, 2010
I have managed to read most of this series out of order. Each book, however, is a great read independently. This was the 'first' and certainly sets up the series. I found it interesting, compelling, and also an easy book to read. It held my attention and now has me reading the 4th in the series, (or at least I think it is.) A great Author. A great book!
May 17, 2010
A very promising series debut! I very much enjoyed getting to know Abby Rose and look forward to future installments. Unexpected twist kept me guessing until the end and Abby Rose will definitely be on my reading list!
January 18, 2012
A funny amateur sleuth with brains and a heart; you will fall in love the character of Abby Rose as she tries to solve multiple mysteries in her home state of Texas. Very well written and an quick easy read. Couldn't put it down.
March 9, 2011
I enjoyed reading this first book in the adventures of Abbie Rose.... I'm looking forward to reading them in order, and to that effect I have them stacked up on my library TBR pile.
January 9, 2014
(This is a review of the audiobook.) Nicely narrated by Danielle Ferland.
September 4, 2017
I think I would have liked this book more if I read another one in the series first. It took about three quarters of the book before it got interesting. The point of view character, Abigail Rose, spends most of her time arguing with people. A few months after her very wealthy father dies Abby finds the body of their gardener, Ben, murdered on their property. She argues with the investigating detective. She also spends a lot of time arguing with the family lawyer and her father's oldest friend, Willis. She doesn't like her Aunt Caroline and argues with her a lot. And whenever her ex-husband shows up they rehash old arguments they had before and during the divorce. It got old very quickly and I started skimming through the book to see who the murderer was. It had some twists I wasn't expecting and really, finally started to get interesting about three-fourths of the way through. I may read more of the series when I'm looking for a light cozy mystery to read. There was some swearing and a little crude language, but no sex. Although there was a scene where Abby decided to pretend she was sunbathing only in her bra to avoid getting caught for trespassing when she was looking for evidence. Abby was quite a deceitful person while she was trying to find information.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 2, 2023
"Pick Your Poison", first in the 'Yellow Rose Mystery' series, is at the top end of cosies. But, the rules of writing a cosy novel can sometimes work against the book, particularly where tension is concerned (there isn't any!).
It's got a likeable heroine in heiress-at-a-loose-end Abby Rose, and the plotting is well above average. But the darker the story gets the more author Leann Sweeney glides past it.
A good dose of noir would have made all the difference.
Abby and her sister Kate are adopted twins, newly rich following their death of their adoptive father. When their gardener, Ben Garrison, asks to have a word on a private matter later in the day she doesn't think much of it - not until he is discovered poisoned and dead in the greenhouse.
What was he going to tell her? Abby is determined to find out and does a good job of tracking down various threads until a pattern of evil emerges - one that touches her relatives, business associates and her ex-husband. Very few people are what they seem and some of them are prepared to kill again to keep their criminal footprints hidden.
It's a fun read as it stands but it could have been much better.
3 Stars.
It's got a likeable heroine in heiress-at-a-loose-end Abby Rose, and the plotting is well above average. But the darker the story gets the more author Leann Sweeney glides past it.
A good dose of noir would have made all the difference.
Abby and her sister Kate are adopted twins, newly rich following their death of their adoptive father. When their gardener, Ben Garrison, asks to have a word on a private matter later in the day she doesn't think much of it - not until he is discovered poisoned and dead in the greenhouse.
What was he going to tell her? Abby is determined to find out and does a good job of tracking down various threads until a pattern of evil emerges - one that touches her relatives, business associates and her ex-husband. Very few people are what they seem and some of them are prepared to kill again to keep their criminal footprints hidden.
It's a fun read as it stands but it could have been much better.
3 Stars.
August 22, 2025
Abby is sort of coasting through life at the moment. She’s divorced and directionless. She and her twin sister, Kate, are wealthy heiresses, and while Abby puts in an occasional appearance at the company founded by their father, she’s at loose ends most of the time. All that changes when Abby discovers their gardener dead in the greenhouse. When the police determine Ben was murdered, Abby is compelled to find out what happened. The more she looks into Ben’s life, the more mysterious everything becomes. Soon Abby is chasing down clues and leads, and what she’s learning leaves her questioning everything about her life.
I appreciated the unique premise of this one, although it featured many of the yawn-inducing tropes that so many cozy mysteries incorporate these days. The plot moved at a quick pace, and characters were fully realized. I did think Abby took some rather foolish risks in her single-minded pursuit of the truth.
Wishing I could award 3.5 stars. Giving this one an average score of three.
I appreciated the unique premise of this one, although it featured many of the yawn-inducing tropes that so many cozy mysteries incorporate these days. The plot moved at a quick pace, and characters were fully realized. I did think Abby took some rather foolish risks in her single-minded pursuit of the truth.
Wishing I could award 3.5 stars. Giving this one an average score of three.
November 10, 2018
I did not like this book, but I wanted to. I like Leann Sweeney's other series: Cats in Trouble. And I wanted to like this one. But there were just too many stupid things going on. However, I went on to read #2 A Wedding to Die For and it was much better. So to anyone thinking about reading this, go ahead. Read it quickly. And then move on. The are important plot points for the series established here.
I especially wanted to like this book because I found out that the author has been ill and may not be able to finish writing the next book in the Cats in Trouble series.
I especially wanted to like this book because I found out that the author has been ill and may not be able to finish writing the next book in the Cats in Trouble series.
August 27, 2022
Abby Rose is lost. She has finished school but has no job, her father recently passed away, and she is recently divorced. What more could go wrong? Don't ask, because trouble comes her way in the form of a murder. Her gardner is found dead and Abby has no idea why someone would want to kill him. She and her twin sister Kate were both adopted. They have plenty of money and a meddling, greedy Aunt. This is something Abby just can't leave alone. She keeps asking questions and soon is on the heels of a killer.
This was entertaining and the twists and turns made me keep reading. The characters were OK. Abby is a little rich girl that basically lounges by the pool. Many of the characters seem to be hiding something and not being honest with Abby. I usually like to read stories where the characters are quirky but likeable. That is why I have given this only 3 stars.
This was entertaining and the twists and turns made me keep reading. The characters were OK. Abby is a little rich girl that basically lounges by the pool. Many of the characters seem to be hiding something and not being honest with Abby. I usually like to read stories where the characters are quirky but likeable. That is why I have given this only 3 stars.
May 9, 2019
This is an older book (2004) as I'm reading it so I'm not docking my rating as I normally would for the heroine's one or two TSTL moments - It was a more common practice 15 years ago for heroines to walk into the dark house even though they knew the killer might be inside. Other than that I really enjoyed this cozy mystery. The characters are well developed and the mystery has plenty of twists to keep you turning the pages. I managed to figure out the identity of the killer only a page or two ahead of the heroine and got the motive all wrong! I was looking for something fun and light to read when I picked up Pick your Poison and that's exactly what it was. I'm going to see if I can track down a copy of the next one in this series.
September 14, 2018
So i wasn't on the edge of my chair but for a simple quick read it sufficed (even then - i had to take breaks!). Would i read another Yellow Rose Mystery? No - unless i was on a deserted isle and that was all that was available.
The characters were flat and predictable. The "heroine" was boring - rich, spoiled, no direction, all the time and money to spare, had issues - the perfect "Poor little rich girl". Her romance counter part needed some help too. He can fit 4 pieces of gum in his mouth and still talk coherently without drooling.
sorry but not the best...
The characters were flat and predictable. The "heroine" was boring - rich, spoiled, no direction, all the time and money to spare, had issues - the perfect "Poor little rich girl". Her romance counter part needed some help too. He can fit 4 pieces of gum in his mouth and still talk coherently without drooling.
sorry but not the best...
September 15, 2023
I liked Abby and Kate. I liked the story as well as the denouement. I'm not a fan of Abby deciding to go confront people she suspected as murderous, and I'm not a fan of Abby finding out who the murderer was and instead of staying clear of the one place she knew the murderer had access to, she ends up contriving to go there. She's smart even though she's skirting the law in places, and is clear-eyed most of the time to accept that everyone close to her had maybe lied to her, so the ending was really uncalled for.
February 5, 2024
Good, funny mystery
Lots of humor and intrigue. I read this many years ago and remembered this as a great story, so read it again recently. Its held up well, still funny and interesting. Lots of strange southern American catchphrases to laugh at. Worth a read from someone who wants a good suspense/murder mystery without being bogged down by some of the heavier themes that come with that trope. Enough comedic relief mixed with a good whodunit to keep the experience light and enjoyable as a quick and entertaining experience.
Lots of humor and intrigue. I read this many years ago and remembered this as a great story, so read it again recently. Its held up well, still funny and interesting. Lots of strange southern American catchphrases to laugh at. Worth a read from someone who wants a good suspense/murder mystery without being bogged down by some of the heavier themes that come with that trope. Enough comedic relief mixed with a good whodunit to keep the experience light and enjoyable as a quick and entertaining experience.
February 1, 2025
Excellent and intriguing story that surprised me at every step. I wanted to know how the mystery resolved from the get go - engaged all along the way.
Though I kept trying, I could _not_ like Abby, the main character. She is smart, but repeatedly makes thoughtless, unwise, and even unethical decisions, that everyone around her just ignores, forgives, or glosses over. ALL the other characters, good, bad, and otherwise, were more sympathetic. And there are some truly interesting, multi-dimensional characters populating these pages!
Though I kept trying, I could _not_ like Abby, the main character. She is smart, but repeatedly makes thoughtless, unwise, and even unethical decisions, that everyone around her just ignores, forgives, or glosses over. ALL the other characters, good, bad, and otherwise, were more sympathetic. And there are some truly interesting, multi-dimensional characters populating these pages!
June 20, 2025
3.5 stars, especially considering it's a debut novel. I didn't look at the copyright page when starting as was annoyed at how much this mirrored, and wasn't as good, as the Finlay Donovan series, then saw at the end this was written almost two decades earlier! Finlay Donovan owes a lot to Abbey Rose. I liked it enough to look for the second in the series after reading a preview at the end of this one, but it's nowhere in any of the three digital libraries I belong to. Oh well. If it turns up sometime, I'll read it....
April 1, 2018
1st book in another series of Leeann Sweeney. I am pleasantly surprised too. Abby & Kate are adopted twins, Abby is the MC & bold about "helping" local police solve the murder of her gardener.
While investigating the murder while & pretending to be a married woman wanting to adopt, Abby makes a discovery about her own adoption & gets herself into "hold your breath” situations.
The book stays at a quick, need to turn the page pace.
I’m looking forward to book #2 in this series
While investigating the murder while & pretending to be a married woman wanting to adopt, Abby makes a discovery about her own adoption & gets herself into "hold your breath” situations.
The book stays at a quick, need to turn the page pace.
I’m looking forward to book #2 in this series
August 4, 2020
My first Sweeney
This native Texan, hailing from H-Town (and now a Florida transplant) picked up this ebook and found it quite entertaining. Ended up liking the main character, amateur sleuth Abby, and was surprised when the culprit (and the cleverly arranged parter in crime) were revealed. All of the Houston & Galveston references had me pining for the Lone Star State. This won’t be my last Sweeney.
This native Texan, hailing from H-Town (and now a Florida transplant) picked up this ebook and found it quite entertaining. Ended up liking the main character, amateur sleuth Abby, and was surprised when the culprit (and the cleverly arranged parter in crime) were revealed. All of the Houston & Galveston references had me pining for the Lone Star State. This won’t be my last Sweeney.
November 20, 2020
I just discovered this series, Pick Your Poison was absolutely delightful! I live in the Houston area so that made this book extra fun for me! Abby and Kate are adorable characters. I especially love their southern quips, and "Daddy always said..." will keep you laughing throughout. This is a cozy mystery with a lot of potential suspects and endearing characters! Cannot wait to start the next in the series!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 148 reviews